I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

[Today I went to the screening, and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever see a drama like this again in my lifetime....]

I can’t forget the thrill when the gutpan scene hit with those massive speakers. Seoryeong acted like she was genuinely possessed, and my heart was pounding so hard it was terrifying. She was cursing like a madwoman, and then when she broke down crying like a child because of Myungdo, her pronunciation completely collapsed.... If that’s not an acting genius, then what is TT_TT

[(Post-screening review) You can really feel that the actress who plays Seoryeong is dead serious about acting—scratching up her raw throat like that puts an insane strain on it.]

Her throat must have been in terrible pain even while acting, and after filming, anyone thinking about their vocal cords wouldn’t dare do that. But she really looked like someone throwing everything away and clawing desperately just to live, and it made me cry too T_T I’d seen her a few times in clips from web dramas, but she wasn’t just some so-so actress like I thought. She was on a completely different level.

Aetami pressed “recommend” on every single review post. Then, with trembling hands, she began to write her own review.

Input: What made this drama so good was....

* * *

IP 85.152, who had managed the gallery all night, read every single post that kept pouring in. Not a single one missed. All of them.

Among them, the post with the most recommendations was this one.

[I liked how clear the message was trying to convey.]

What made this drama good wasn’t just that the writer, director, and actors were all possessed, but that it felt like it would stay with you for a long time, and not merely because of its polish.

I started thinking about why this work is called Strange Tales.

All of the story’s protagonists are placed into situations different from what they had imagined. Seoryeong thought only of death, and Myungdo thought only of his lord, but in the end, both of them made different choices And it’s not just them—everyone who was isolated and persecuted, at the moment they were drowning in despair, salvation comes.

But doesn’t that kind of moment come in real life too? When what you planned collapses, when you’re betrayed by someone you trusted, when the future you dreamed of turns unclear. And yet, through an unexpected helping hand, another chapter opens. A future you never even imagined ends up being what keeps you alive.

So in the end, even if things feel dark and hopeless right now, if you keep living, life somehow, strangely, continues, and there comes at least one moment when you can finally breathe again... I think that’s what it wanted to say. You and I, let’s just hang in there.

Yup (17.132) Because of you I’m crying all over again TT_TT

Yup (37.888) I never thought of it that way, I feel comforted again, he

“Someone who actually knows how to interpret a work.... As expected, only quality viewers gather around a masterpiece....”

It was an excellent conceptual post that suited the sensibilities of IP 85.152. She smiled faintly.

Click-.

IP 85.152 shared the post across the community, already burning with talk about . As expected, the comments immediately started increasing.

That was when it happened.

“...Huh?”

IP 85.152 doubted her eyes.

[Critic Sunwoo Seonuk’s post after ended.jpg]

A truly new attempt that diverges from the usual fusion historical dramas. The gutpan scene in the final episode may well have been the most overwhelming moment I’ve seen on TV this year. From the narrative structure, to the intelligent use of light and shadow, to the dense sound design—this is, quite simply, a work of art. Applause to the production team and actors of for delivering a perfect audiovisual experience.

“Wait...?”

IP 85.152 doubted her eyes once again. It was rare for Sunwoo Seonuk to praise a work to this extent. Only those universally acknowledged as immortal masterpieces ever received such treatment.

“...Insane.”

IP 85.152 realized it then. had just added its name to the “Sunwoo Seonuk Masterpiece List.”

* * *

The PR team at JC ENM stared at their monitors with hollow eyes. Beyond the windows, the sky was gradually growing brighter. The dark office slowly filled with light.

“R-rookie....”

“If you drink any more coffee, you’ll die....”

Manager Hong couldn’t even bring himself to look at the brilliant sun beyond the forest of buildings, covering his face with both hands instead. Separate from his exhausted body, his mind was crystal clear.

“Alright.... Everyone, let’s check....”

This was the moment of reckoning. Time to confirm the final report card of .

Everyone held onto their trembling nerves. The ratings had already surpassed 20%. Even so, the anticipation weighed down on their entire bodies.

“One.... Two.... Three...!”

Click.

And so, the ratings of were revealed.

“24...!”

“Peak ratings 28.7!”

The papers stacked in the office flew up toward the ceiling. The documents fluttering down felt like confetti at an awards ceremony.

A miracle of cable.

That single line was enough to explain it.

[‘The golden age of cable’ begins with —viewers also acknowledge a masterpiece drama]

[Netizens satisfied with a drama without PPL.... ‘It’s only fun to watch when there’s no forced exposition or forced developments~’]

[Now a TVM you can trust... what’s the next big thing after ?]

Hundreds of articles poured out immediately after the final episode of . Evening passed into dawn, morning came, then another day arrived, and even on days without , the articles never stopped.

A work whose quality was acknowledged by Sunwoo Seonuk, a drama praised by the public, a broadcasting network’s unprecedented attempt.

The grand design drawn by Jegal Rok was only just beginning.

“Yes! This is JC ENM.”

“Check the fax! Block interview requests from now on!”

After pushing through an intense forced march for the two months aired, JC ENM’s PR team still had no time to rest afterward.

It wasn’t just that the tide had come in.

Waves were crashing in.

“Yes. That’s right. We delivered our press release correctly.”

—...You really sold the overseas broadcasting rights immediately?

Jegal Rok sold the rights to to local Taiwanese TV, adding the condition that it would also air on TWTV, the largest online streaming platform.

They were expanding ’ overseas fanbase. From Taiwan to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, [N O V E L I G H T] then to Singapore where Netholics was already established. And after that, to Japan, where the Korean Wave was rising again thanks to Do Gyeoul’s .

“Yes. Please make sure to pass that along to the other reporters as well!”

The rookie hung up the phone with a smile. Views on Intube were already increasing thanks to overseas viewers interested in K-DRAMAs.

Intube

[#The perfect Myungdo couple’s final scene in .... Would you marry another man instead? Myungdo showing off his puppy-like charm] 02:27

Views 2.48M

[Sprinkle salt and watch #Strange Tales Episode 16 legendary masterpiece scene Seoryeong VS Yeomga gutpan] 05:10

Views 3.12M

[Seoryeong sobbing while clinging to Myungdo #MyungdoCouple please just let us love] 02:47

Views 2.91M

Every clip of continued to ride the algorithm, dominating the hearts of Intube viewers.

And so, JC ENM.

First broadcasting company ever to reach 1 million subscribers.

“Huh? Manager! Just a moment!”

Someone shouted urgently. The rookie, who had been gazing at the Intube screen with a pleased expression, also pricked up her ears.

“A Han Yeoreum fan café just opened!”

“What!”

The rookie hurried over to Manager Hong’s desk without even realizing it.

Input: Han Yeoreum

All nearby staff gathered around, staring at the monitor together. On the portal site’s search screen, Han Yeoreum appeared.

Han Yeoreum

Actor

Agency: JC ENM

Awards

Ruel Style Awards — WOMAN OF INSPIRATION

Seoul Drama Awards — Jury Special Newcomer Award

Filmography

Lead, Pi Chaewon

Lead, Jung Yeondu

Supporting role, Influencer 1

Lead, Seoryeong

Fan Café

Summer Days

At last, a fan café had been created. Member count: 27. A small, precious number, but the JC ENM PR staff exchanged looks.

New posts: 110

“...One person doing the work of a hundred?”

Core fans had arrived.

* * *

“Yeoreum—!”

“Wave your hand!”

Right now, I was fully enjoying the taste of popularity. This was the MusicN filming set. I waved to the fans who had noticeably increased.

“So cute—!”

Say it louder.... Louder.... No matter how loud you shout, it’s still not enough....

‘Of course, they’re not completely my fans yet.’

They were all here to see other idols. But the fact that they kept looking at me, talking to me, calling my name!

‘That means they could become my fans soon!’

I smiled and sent finger hearts. A few women beamed brightly back at me.

‘Would be nice to actively promote “Han Yeoreum who does great fan service.”’

The live-action footage from the stage greeting had gotten a pretty good response. Same with the pledge video. Going forward, I wanted a new video to pop up every time someone searched my name on Intube....

“Part 1 recording is finished! We’ll take a short break and move on to Part 2!”

Before I knew it, Part 1 of MusicN was over. Before heading to the waiting room, I waved one last time in farewell.

“See you later!”

Back in the waiting room, as I drank water, Seo Eden, as expected, let out a gasp.

“Have you checked your follower count? Holy crap. Why is it growing so fast?”

“How many tens of thousands am I at now?”

“Look.”

Seo Eden had become my fan after the final episode of . To the point where he personally checked my follower trends. I looked at the screen he held out.

@midsummer

Followers 770,000 Following 0

“Seven hundred seventy thousand...!”

At this rate, wasn’t I going to hit a million soon? The dizzying sense of popularity nearly made me black out—

“But isn’t the Ruel Awards coming up soon? Won’t you be meeting senior Gi Juye there?”

—when I snapped back to my senses.

“She’s coming too?”

“...From what I can tell.... Given her personality....”

Seo Eden’s complexion darkened, as if he were briefly suffering from PTSD inflicted by Gi Juye.

“She’s probably preparing for a blood vendetta....”

* * *

Sitting in her waiting room, Gi Juye slammed her tablet PC down as if throwing it. The portal sites were still overflowing with nothing but praise for . With no major incidents, it was only natural that the focus would stay on the most successful work.

‘ is completely done for now.’

Gi Juye’s chaebol youngest granddaughter styling had only sparkled briefly, just before truly exploded in popularity.

‘...After that, all of fashion’s focus shifted to Joo Junseo!’

A delinquent character styled to the absolute limit of flamboyance—and yet it suited him perfectly. Torn shirts, necklaces, rings, and a hidden backstory that fans obsessively devoured down to the nano level.

‘If this is all the performance I get, the push for my next project might get cut in half....’

Gi Juye assessed the situation coldly.

‘Fuck... this is annoying.’

She spoke to the coordinator beside her.

“Unni. You checked Han Yeoreum’s name on the Ruel Awards lineup, right?”

“Yeah, Juye.... It’s confirmed she’s attending. I heard she’s even working with Ruel next month... as a cover girl.”

“Did I ask about all that? Why are you adding unnecessary crap? You’re killing my mood.”

“Sorry....”

Ever since articles ran about “the same outfit, different vibes,” she had been grinding her teeth over Han Yeoreum.

Gi Juye felt that the current flow was ominous.

‘This is a fight over the pie.’

If Han Yeoreum fully established herself, Gi Juye’s position would inevitably shrink.

Just imagining Han Yeoreum stealing the things Gi Juye had claimed until now—photo call order, product sponsorships, PPL in projects, advertisers’ preferences—was unbearable.

‘At least it’s a historical drama....’

It was fortunate that had no scenes that could directly stimulate viewers’ consumption desires.

The fashion world was ruthless. Even someone who once led a trend would be discarded the moment someone hotter appeared.

Gi Juye did not want to be the one discarded. Even if she couldn’t take things away, she wanted to endure stubbornly and at least keep her place.

“The outfit Han Yeoreum is going to wear at the Ruel Awards. Find out what it is and take it.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the MC on stage called Gi Juye’s name. She instantly changed her expression and walked out onto the stage.

“Gi Juye—!”

Cheers erupted from all around in response to her name. Looking out over the packed audience, Gi Juye smiled blissfully.

This was Gi Juye’s Chinese fan meeting.

With her solid Chinese fanbase, Gi Juye planned to bring in China money and suffocate Han Yeoreum.